Chip Referee

ABSTRACT

This invention is an RFID system and method to determine the physical outer edges or perimeters of athletic objects of play in relationship to the outside edges or perimeters and relevant scoring or rules of play zones contained on an athletic field of play. It contemplates the electro magnetic tracking of objects of play and the adjudication of the rules of play as they relate to professional athletic competitions. This invention is designed as a replacement for, or adjunct to, a video referee or instant replay judge. This invention contemplates embedding an RFID transponder into an object of play and tracking it from interrogator controlled antennas embedded into the boundaries of play. A back end computer host system calibrates the electro magnetic digital data regarding the physical location of the object of play in relationship to its physical location on the field of play which electro magnetic data is interpreted and then displayed on the scoreboard at the field of play. The calibration is made through algorithms programmed into the middleware. This invention contemplates sensors encompassing the objects of play and laser guided interrogation beams to assist in precise measurements of the boundaries of play and relevant scoring or rules of play areas.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

There is a crucial requirement within professional sports to accurately record the score and outcome of any particular sporting contest. Furthermore, there is a crucial requirement to accurately adjudicate player adherence to the rules of play of any particular sporting contest. This need is currently being inadequately filled by video referees. The video referees are hindered in their responsibility by a physical limitation on the number of cameras and the number of camera angles available in order to consistently make a definitive ruling on any specific play in a professional sporting event. The requirement for accuracy in recording the score and player adherence to the rules of play has become critical. This is due to the financial enormity of the professional sporting industry. The outcomes of any particular professional sporting event can have nationwide ramifications. For example, the average team in the National Football League is valued at close to $1B. Operating income, defined as earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, for the 32 teams in the league is, on average, $851 M on revenue of $5.3B. This is an operating margin of 16%. By way of comparison, major league professional baseball teams are the closest in valuations to football with an average value of $300M per team. By way of further comparison and description the National Basketball Association, the second most profitable professional sport in the United States, has an operating margin of 6.5%. The league standings of professional sporting teams have an impact on team profitability and valuation. This is due to fluctuations in fan attendance to sporting events, play off series success, and the revenue generated by media attention. For example, the national television contract for the National Football League is $17.6B spread over eight years. Therefore, it is imperative that scores and adherence to play protocols be accurately recorded in order to maintain credibility with the fan base, the source of all revenues. Moreover, there is a huge emotional investment by sporting fans. The sporting leagues capitalize on the tribal instinct of humans who strongly identify with the triumphs and failures of their “young warriors”. These young warriors, also known as team members, proudly display the emblem of the tribe, also known as the “team jersey”. Accordingly, it is imperative to tribal cohesion that a fair and impartial ruling be available to ensure the integrity of the sporting event in question. Furthermore, it is estimated that an average of $1B is bet each week on National Football League games. An accurate result of a ball placement or touchdown or out of bounds call by a referee can mean the difference between winning and losing millions of dollars. The challenge faced by video referees is that the camera positions and angles used by the video referees do not always definitively record the results of an athletic play due to a limitation in the number of cameras and camera angles. This Invention contemplates a method and a system whereby an RFID transponder is embedded into an object of play. Concurrently, antennas connected to a centralized RFID interrogator are placed around the boundaries of play. This novel and inventive step revolutionizes the position of the video referee in that the responsibility for critical judgment decisions are shifted to the automated RFID system and away from the subjective judgment of a video referee whose decisions are based on limited camera angles. This non-obvious step contemplates that an RFID system and method can become an impartial, unbiased and uninfluenced arbitrator of the rules of play. The Inventor refers to this Invention as the “Chip Referee”. Currently, the trade name “Chip Referee” is the subject of a U.S. Trade Name application by the Inventor.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The current inadequate system of professional sports review is sometimes referred to as a video referee. This same system is also known as an instant replay official. By way of definition, the video referee or instant replay official is a professional sport official called upon to assist in the adjudication of a sporting event using television footage as an aid to judgment. Video referees are used in many sports worldwide including cricket, rugby union, rugby league, ice hockey, football, tennis, and rodeo plus automobile racing. Due to the cost of television cameras and other equipment required for a video referee to function effectively, most sports only employ the video referee at a professional level. The instant replay system encompasses the process of reviewing the play of a sporting match to ensure that all rules have been adhered to and properly followed. In North America the instant replay system is used in the National Hockey League, the National Football League, the National Basketball Association and Canadian Football League. In 2005 the National Collegiate Athletic Association (“NCAA”) allowed the use of instant replay for all Division 1-A football conferences. Instant replay is used intermittently in NCAA Basketball to resolve issues of time and score. For example, instant replay is used to determine if a shot was launched from the three point area or to determine which player is entitled to a free throw.

In the National Football League (“NFL”) an Instant Replay system was instituted during 1999. This Instant Replay system instituted an opportunity to “challenge” on field decisions of referees. Pursuant to this Instant Replay system each coach of a professional football team is allowed two opportunities per game to make a challenge to the decision of a referee. In 2004 these rules were altered to allow a third challenge if both of the original challenges are successful. These challenges are limited to specific reviewable calls which must be made before the two minute warning in each half of the football game. Furthermore, the team which originates the challenge must have one time out remaining in that particular half. The procedure is that a red flag is thrown onto the field by the coach challenging the decision of the referee. The referee has sixty seconds to watch the instant replay on a television monitor and to then decide if the original call was correct. The referee needs to see some sort of indisputable visual evidence in order to overturn an on field decision. If the challenge is not warranted, due to a lack of indisputable visual evidence, the original call is sustained and the challenging team is charged with a timeout. If the challenge is warranted the original call is overturned without a loss of timeout to the other team. The problem is that challenges are limited in number. They also draw a penalty if used inappropriately. Coaches are forced to make a quick decision on a challenge without the benefit of reviewing the replay. There are a number of key situations which are reviewable by the instant replay system in professional football. These include scoring plays, pass complete or incomplete or out of bounds decisions, runner out of bounds decisions, recovery of a loose ball in or out of bounds, quarterback pass or fumble and illegal forward pass situations. When college football is involved, the reviewable replay guidelines stipulate that sideline, goal line, end zone and end line plays are reviewable by instant replay. Most fouls are not reviewable. The protocol in college football is that a Replay Official reviews every play at its conclusion. If the Replay Official determines that there is reasonable evidence to believe an error was made in the original referee ruling the Replay Official can delay the game and contact the field referee. Furthermore, once per game each coach may call a timeout and challenge the ruling on the previous play. A coach must have at least one timeout remaining in order to challenge. Normally, teams receive three timeouts per half. If the challenge is successful and the on field ruling is overturned the team keeps its timeout. If not, the team loses its timeout. In either event, the head coach may not challenge again during the contest. The Replay Official decides if the call should be upheld or overturned after reviewing the play from available video angles. The Replay Official then provides the proper information to restart the game. This includes such information as the team in possession, the yard line placement of the ball, the correct down and distance as well as the time remaining on the stadium clock. There is no standard Instant Replay equipment as each conference must choose its own equipment. The Canadian Football League is modeled after the NFL. The difference is that teams are only allowed two challenges per game. As the Canadian Football League only allows one time out per half, the first challenge has no effect on time outs. Only the second challenge can draw the penalty of a withdrawn time out.

In the National Basketball Association the game officials must watch an instant replay of a buzzer beater to determine if a shot was released prior to the time that the buzzer was sounded. The same procedure can be used in college basketball. The NCAA rules allow the officials to use instant replay to determine if a shot was released before time expired in either half or an overtime period. It may also be used to determine if a field goal is worth two or three points, or who is to take a free throw.

In the National Hockey League the video replay judge or the on ice referees can initiate a video replay review. The areas within the jurisdiction of video replay review are if the puck crossed the goal line completely, or if the puck was in the net prior to the end of a period, or if the puck is in the net prior to the goal frame being dislodged. In addition, during the 2006 Winter Olympics all ice hockey goals were reviewed to ensure that each one was legitimate.

In tennis new technologies such as Mac CAM Auto-Ref and Hawk-Eye are used to replay close or controversial line calls. During 2006 the USTA began allowing players to challenge close calls. The technology used was Hawk-Eye. Players are allowed two incorrect challenges per set and one for a tiebreak.

In rugby instant replay calls can vary from the correct grounding of a ball at a try or to decide whether a player is onside before they catch the ball, when they score. Any decision is made by a video replay referee. The decision is communicated directly to the on field referee by radio communication.

In cricket instant replay is used for run outs, stumpings, doubtful catches and whether the ball has crossed the boundary for a six or short for a four.

In rodeo instant replay is used to review a protest to the replay official which must be lodged within 30 seconds of any decision. Any competitor can file the complaint to the replay official. The replay official can request different angles and slow motion or freeze frames to determine the call in question and supply a ruling. The replay is used to evaluate timing issues, fouls against the rider for touching the bull or ground with a free hand or using the fence to stay on the bull, or fouls by the bull, such as dragging the rider across the fence.

NASCAR uses instant replay to determine if a car crosses a pit entrance before the pit was closed for a yellow flag. It also uses instant replay to determine the final race positions when a race ends with a caution because the flag waved on the final lap or when the flag waves during the final two lap sprint.

The problem with the video referee and instant replay system is that a definitive ruling is not always available. This is due to the limitation of the number of cameras, the position of these cameras and the angles that these cameras present to the video referee. The solution proposed by this Invention and the useful, non-obvious and novel step contemplated is to place RFID transponders into the item to be adjudicated. For example, in the case of ice hockey, embed an RFID transponder into the hockey puck with sensors surrounding the circumference of the puck. The sensors could be commercially available products such as conductive ink or a thin strand of copper or aluminum. The goal frame would be outfitted with interrogator antennas embedded into the frame. When the puck entirely crosses the goal line, as noted by the sensor in the puck in relationship to the goal frame antennas, the goal light is automatically triggered by the RFID back end host computer system.

As another example, the baseball in Major League Baseball can be embedded with an RFID transponder. The seams of the baseball can be painted with an invisible form of conductive ink or the seams interwoven with an extremely thin strand of copper or aluminum. The home plate can have RFID antennas embedded into it which project an electro magnetic signal straight up using laser light as a carrier or guidance system. Accordingly, the inside and outside calls could be made automatically by the RFID system. Furthermore, the foul ball call could also be made automatically as RFID interrogators could be embedded along foul lines while continuously emanating electro magnetic signals straight up using laser light as a carrier or guidance system. Furthermore, the out call on bases could be made automatically if transponders are embedded into base bags.

As another example, the National Football League could embed the game ball with an RFID transponder. The lines in the pigskin could be coated with invisible conductive ink or ultra thin copper or aluminum wire could be laid into the seams. If the boundary markers and end zone line were also embedded with RFID interrogator antennas emanating an electro magnetic signal straight up into the air, the boundary calls could be made automatically by the RFID system.

These three examples are by way of illustration only. The Embodiment section herein fleshes out these examples. However, only the Claims section of this application is to be considered definitive in adjudicating the boundaries of this Invention.

PRIOR ART

U.S. Pat. No. 5,513,854 titled “System used for real time acquisition of data pertaining to persons in motion” by Daver contemplates obtaining data of the position and/or physical performances of one or several persons in motion on a field of play. The purpose of the invention is to track the athletes and the ball on a game field. In claim 1 (a) Daver contemplates the use of miniaturized radio frequency transmitters carried by the athletes and a set of goniometric receivers turned successively to the frequency of said transmitters. There is a sweep of all transmitted frequencies as functions of time to detect several times per second the position of every transmitter on the field through triangulation. The present Invention can be distinguished from the Daver patent in that the RFID system contemplated by this Invention does not track the motion of the ball or players but instead tracks the position of the object in play in relationship to defined boundaries.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,363,297 titled “Automated camera-based tracking system for sports contests” by Larson, et al., describes a system for the accumulation of detailed moment to moment information concerning the movements of players and of the ball in a sporting contest. The Larson patent can be distinguished from the present Invention in that the Larson patent is a video based system while the present Invention is an RFID based system.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The purpose of the present Invention is to provide a system and method which enables the professional sports industry to solve the problems encountered while using the existing video referee and instant replay system. The problems involve the inability of video cameras to cover all possible angles to determine the location of the object in play in relationship to the boundaries of the area of play. In other words, the number of cameras and number of camera angles are finite. However, the differing positions for the object in play in relationship to the area of play are infinite. The resolution to this problem is the efficient use of RFID transponders and RFID interrogators in relationship to the object in play and the boundaries of the area of play.

For example, if an RFID transponder were to be embedded into a football and the boundaries of the football field lined with RFID interrogator antennas spaced to provide continuous coverage around the field of play, the in bounds call could be made automatically. Similarly, the touchdown by run call could also be made automatically using this system.

The useful, non-obvious and novel step of this Invention is the use of an RFID transponder embedded into an object of play as it relates to laser assisted interrogator antennas embedded into the boundaries of play. In other words, the effective use of an RFID transponder embedded into a baseball, for example, tuned to the frequency of an RFID interrogator system, in order to determine whether a baseball is in the strike zone or out of the strike zone; in the ball park or out of the ball park; a home run or a foul ball.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In the National Hockey League the video goal judge reviews video replays of disputed goals. This is because the on ice referee does not have access to television monitors. As a consequence the decision of the video goal judge is final. One of the reviewable situations in hockey is that of determining if a puck has crossed a goal line completely before the expiration of time. This Invention contemplates an embodiment whereby the puck is embedded with an RFID transponder. The antenna of the RFID transponder encircles the puck. This could be by way of copper or aluminum wire tracing the upper and lower circumference of the puck. Alternatively, the antenna could be integral to the transponder and the diameter of the puck could be traced by a sensor material such as commercially available invisible electro magnetic reflective ink or paint. Furthermore, the frame of the goal net is embedded with laser guided antennas connected to a centralized RFID interrogator. When the puck fully crosses the goal line, the goal light is automatically activated by a back end interrogator middle ware system which administers the RFID process and has sensed the movement of the puck through the interpretation of electro magnetic signals. The goal light is initiated as long as the puck has crossed the goal line while playing time, known as duration of play herein, is still available on the stadium clock. The stadium clock is coordinated and linked with the RFID system. One of the other areas of review in professional hockey is the puck entering the net prior to the goal frame being dislodged. The RFID embodiment system would be the same as described above except that it would not record a goal which entered the net after the goal frame was dislodged. The adjudication of dislodgement would be accomplished by a triggering system which turns off the goal frame antennas when the goal posts are moved. This is accomplished through the use of a disconnection switch; part of which is attached to the bottom of the goal posts and the other part of which is attached to the magnets under the ice which keep the goal posts in place.

As a further embodiment, in Major League Baseball, the baseball can be embedded with an RFID transponder. The antenna follows the seams on the outside perimeter of the baseball. Alternatively, the antenna could be an integral part of the transponder embedded into baseball and the seams of the baseball could be traced by an electro magnetically sensitive substance such as a thin strand of copper or aluminum woven into the seams of the baseball or by administering commercially available invisible electro magnetic reflective ink painted onto the seams of the baseball. Concurrently, the perimeter of home plate is embedded with laser guided RFID antennas connected to a back end RFID administration system fitted with appropriate middle ware. The outside or inside pitch calls of the umpire can be replaced by the automatic decision of the back end RFID system which determines, through a set of algorithms, if the pitch was thrown inside or outside of home plate. The high and low pitch umpire calls can be automatically made through the use of laser guided antennas placed at right angles to home plate and configured to measure the pitch in relationship to the shoulders and knees of the batter. The carrier wave for the electro magnetic signals can be a laser light manufactured to produce precisely defined light beams.

Furthermore, the foul ball lines and poles could be embedded with laser guided antennas connected to a back end interrogator system and be configured to automatically call a ball fair or foul using an interpretation algorithm of electro magnetic signals.

As a further embodiment, in the National Football League, the football could be embedded with an RFID transponder whose antenna or sensor follows the seams in the pigskin. Alternatively, the antenna can be integral to the embedded transponder and the seams of the pigskin are traced by a thin strand of copper or aluminum acting as a sensing device or the seams can be painted by commercially available electro magnetic conductive ink, again as a sensing device. If the boundary markers and end zone line were also embedded with laser guided RFID interrogator antennas, the boundary calls could be made automatically by the RFID system. The carrier waves for the electro magnetic signals from the boundary antennas would be laser to accommodate pin point accuracy. If the boots of players were also embedded with RFID transponders, the out of bounds calls could be made automatically through the use of the appropriate algorithm to interpret the position of electro magnetic signals. 

1. A system and a method for real time acquisition and processing of electro magnetic signals reproduced as digital data pertaining to the physical position and/or physical performance of one or a multitude of “objects of play” in motion on a “field of play” in relationship to the “boundaries of play” while utilizing a radio frequency identification (“RFID”) system of embedded transponders located in the object(s) of play as well as embedded interrogator antennas located in the boundaries of play while all transponders, interrogators and antennas are connected to a back end host computer management system for the processing of said digital data for the function of providing objective, unbiased and uninfluenced decisions as to the location of objects in play in relationship to the boundaries of play on or near a field of play; where a “field of play” is defined as a professional football field, college football field, professional baseball field, professional ice hockey rink, college hockey rink, professional soccer field, professional basketball court, professional tennis court, professional golf course, professional automobile racing track, professional horse racing track, professional dog racing track, professional lacrosse box or field, or any other such arena or stadium for professional sports; where “objects of play” are defined as a professional football or professional football player, college football or college football player, professional baseball or professional baseball player, professional ice hockey puck or professional ice hockey player, college ice hockey puck or college ice hockey player, professional soccer ball or professional soccer player, professional basketball or professional basketball player, professional tennis ball or professional tennis player, professional golf ball or professional golfer, professional racecar or professional race car driver, professional quarter horse or professional racing dog, professional lacrosse ball or lacrosse player; where “boundaries of play” are defined as the metes and bounds plus goal lines of a professional football field, the metes and bounds plus goal lines of a college football field, the metes and bounds of a professional baseball diamond, the metes and bounds plus goal lines of a professional and college ice hockey rink, the metes and bounds of a professional soccer field including the penalty box area, the metes and bounds plus three point throw area of a professional basketball court, the metes and bound of a professional tennis court, the metes and bounds of a professional golf course, the metes and bounds of a professional automobile racing track, the metes and bound of a professional horse racing track, the metes and bounds of a professional dog racing track, the metes and bounds of a professional lacrosse box or field, and the metes and bounds of any other similar such arena, field or stadium used for professional or college sports such that the scoring zones and out of bounds zones are identifiable through the digital processing of electro magnetic signals.
 2. The system and method of claim 1 whereby the interrogator antennas embedded into the boundaries of play are constantly radiating electro magnetic signals while the “duration of play” is ongoing for the function of allowing the back end host computer system through algorithms contained in middle ware to determine if the object(s) of play has/have crossed the boundaries of play using a set of digital values which are representative of the physical position and performance of the objects of play in relationship to the boundaries of play which digital information is processed instantaneously and which digital information is connected to a digital processing device responsible for preparing the digital values which are representative of the physical performances of the objects of play in relationship to the boundaries of play as well as for the graphic representation of same on a Jumbotron or scoreboard at the field of play; the “duration of play” defined as the specific time and date set aside for the sporting event from inception to completion as calculated by connecting the back end host computer system to the official score clock located at the field of play.
 3. The system and method of claim 1 whereby the perimeter or outside edges of an object of play are encompassed by the antenna of the RFID transponder embedded into it or, alternatively, by a sensing device such as a thin strand of copper or aluminum wire, or alternatively, by an electro magnetically reflective ink, so that a determination as to whether the entire surface of the object of play is inside or outside of the boundaries of play can be effectively adjudicated in that the antenna or sensing mechanism is connected to the integrated circuit embedded into the object of play by wire which integrated circuit is connected to the back end administrative middle ware through the auspices of electro magnetic signals.
 4. The system and method of claim 1 whereby the perimeter or outside edges of the field of play is continuously enveloped and bombarded with electro magnetic signals emanating from the embedded antennas of the centralized interrogator(s) of the RFID system throughout the duration of play so that any object(s) of play which may fully cross the electro magnetic signal of the interrogator antenna(s), which electro magnetic signal marks the boundaries of play or scoring areas, will trigger a response from the back end host computer system appropriate for the field of play which is being monitored by the RFID system.
 5. The system and method of producing a laser assisted electro magnetic signal with sufficient precision to obviate the natural tendency of electro magnetic signals to propagate in an elliptical manner but instead to propagate in a straight line in a specific and defined direction and at a specified and defined power setting so that the boundaries of play are precisely identified in relationship to the field of play being tracked.
 6. The system and method of claim 5 whereby laser technology is used as the carrier wave for the electro magnetic signal being used to mark the boundaries of play for the function of allowing the back end host computer system to determine if the object(s) of play have crossed the boundaries of play using a set of digital values which are representative of the physical position and performance of the objects of play in relationship to the boundaries of play which digital information is processed instantaneously and which digital information is connected to a digital processing device responsible for preparing the digital values which are representative of the physical performances of the objects of play in relationship to the boundaries of play as well as for the graphic representation of same on a Jumbotron or scoreboard at the field of play.
 7. The system and method of claim 5 whereby a laser motion detector system is utilized to mark the boundaries of play so that when a laser light is interrupted completely by an object of play a trigger or switch prompts the back end host computer system to determine if the object(s) of play have crossed the boundaries of play using a set of digital values which are representative of the physical position and performance of the objects of play in relationship to the boundaries of play which digital information is processed instantaneously and which digital information is connected to a digital processing device responsible for preparing the digital values which are representative of the physical performances of the objects of play in relationship to the boundaries of play as well as for the graphic representation of same on a Jumbotron or scoreboard at the field of play. 